People who are “stressed out” often feel that there is nothing that can be done to reduce their stress level. There is a certain reality to the perspective that jobs, family, finances, and life in general will always be demanding and stressful.

Learning to effectively manage stress, tension, and frustration/anger is all about achieving a greater sense of control in and over your life. This includes gaining a greater sense of mastery in managing your thoughts, your emotions, your schedule, and your responses to demands in your life. The ultimate goal is a more balanced life.

Signs that you need help with managing stress:

• Zoning out for hours in front of the television or computer
• Using alcohol or drugs to relax
• Sleeping too much
• Lashing out at others verbally and/or physically
• Withdrawing from family, friends, and social activities
• Trying to fill up nearly every minute of your life in order to avoid having to face unpleasant thoughts, feelings, or situations
• Procrastinating
• Experiencing stress-related physical ailments such as frequent headaches, a gastrointestinal problem, fatigue, muscle pain, etc.

Our therapists utilize a comprehensive approach to helping our clients to overcome the impact of difficulties managing stress. We tailor therapy to the specific needs of each client’s situation incorporating some combination of the following strategies:

• Development of relaxation, assertiveness, distress tolerance, and/or emotion regulation skills
• Development of healthy lifestyle changes
• Development of more effective ways of thinking about yourself, your relationships with others, and events in your life
• Resolution of painful emotional experiences linked to traumatic events

Please contact our office at 724-934-3905, or via our online Contact Form, for more information or to schedule an appointment.